The fall of DOMA means that many married same-sex couples can access the spousal benefits provided by the federal government through its many programs. However, married same-sex couples, living in states that do not recognize their marriage, may not have access to the spousal benefits of some federal programs. Same-sex couples who are in a civil union or registered domestic partnership and are living in a state that recognizes their relationship may have access to Social Security spousal benefits, but not to the benefits offered to spouses by other federal programs.

A streamlined list of GLAD's primary referrals to LGBTQ and HIV support services and organizations within Vermont, grouped by the type of services provided. Areas include: civil rights, general legal services, general human services, HIV/AIDS, other health/disability, domestic violence/sexual assault and youth/schools.

This publication provides steps same-sex married couples can take to possibly preserve their rights to retroactive Social Security spousal or children benefits that are currently being denied because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). If DOMA is declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court or is repealed by Congress while an appeal of the denial of a Social Security benefit is still active, there is a possibility that the benefit will be granted retroactively to the original date of the application.